What were moas?
Q: What were moas?
A: Moas were large flightless birds with no wings that lived only in New Zealand and are now all extinct.
Q: How many species of moa were there?
A: There were nine species (in six genera) of Moa.
Q: What was the largest and best known genus of moa, and how big did they grow?
A: The largest and best known genus of moa was Dinornis, which grew up to 3.6 meters (12 feet) tall and weighed as much as 230 kilograms (510 pounds).
Q: When did the Māori people arrive in New Zealand, and what was the moa population like at that time?
A: The Māori people arrived in New Zealand from Oceania about a thousand years ago, and at that time the moas lived in large numbers, especially on South Island.
Q: Were there any archaeological sites that provide evidence of moa hunting in New Zealand?
A: Yes, archaeological sites with evidence of moa hunting are all over New Zealand.
Q: What caused the extinction of moas?
A: While the moas had survived being hunted by Haast's eagle, they could not survive being hunted for food by the Maoris. Recent extinctions (also mostly birds) have been caused by habitat change and introduced species.
Q: What are some examples of recent extinctions?
A: Recent extinctions (also mostly birds) have been caused by habitat change and introduced species.
